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Best Gun Safes 2026: Top 6 Rifle Safes Ranked (Liberty, SecureIt, Vaultek)
Owning firearms means storing them responsibly. A quality gun safe protects your rifles from theft, fire, unauthorized access, and humidity damage. This guide ranks the best gun safes for rifle owners in 2026, with specific attention to AR-15 storage where optics and accessories add bulk that most safes do not account for.
Quick Answer: Best Gun Safes 2026: Quick Picks
Best overall: Liberty Fatboy Jr. 48 -- 12-gauge steel, 75-minute fire rating, UL RSC certified. The standard for full-size safes.
Best for AR-15s: SecureIt Agile 52 Pro -- modular CradleGrid holds rifles with optics mounted, military-grade storage design.
Best quick-access: Vaultek RS500i -- biometric + keypad + app, under 1-second access for bedside use.
Best budget: Liberty Centurion 24 -- 12-gauge steel and 40-minute fire rating under $1,200.
What to Look For in a Gun Safe
Gun safe marketing is full of inflated claims. Here are the six factors that actually matter, and what to look for in each.
Steel Thickness (Gauge)
The gauge of the steel body determines pry resistance. Lower gauge numbers mean thicker steel.
Recommendation: 12-gauge minimum for full-size rifle safes. 14-gauge is acceptable for compact and quick-access safes. Avoid 16-gauge or thinner.
Fire Rating
Measured as temperature and duration (e.g., 1200F / 60 minutes). The interior stays below 350F during the rated period.
Recommendation: 30 minutes minimum for home use. 60+ minutes if you live in a rural area with long fire department response times. Not all safes have fire ratings.
Lock Type
Electronic keypad is the most common. Biometric (fingerprint) is fastest. Mechanical is most reliable.
Recommendation: Keypad for full-size safes. Biometric with keypad backup for quick-access handgun safes. Mechanical (Simplex) for maximum reliability.
Interior Layout
Traditional safes use fixed barrel rests. Modular systems (SecureIt CradleGrid) adapt to rifles with optics and accessories.
Recommendation: If you store AR-15s with optics, lights, and lasers mounted, modular systems save significant space. Traditional layouts work for bare rifles.
Capacity (Realistic)
Manufacturers rate capacity assuming bare rifles packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Real-world capacity with optics is typically 40-60% of the rated number.
Recommendation: Buy a safe rated for 1.5-2x the number of guns you own today. You will buy more. A '24-gun' safe comfortably holds 10-14 rifles with optics.
Weight and Placement
Heavy safes are harder to steal but also harder to install. Concrete floors handle any weight. Wood floors have load limits.
Recommendation: If your safe goes upstairs or in an apartment, check floor load capacity. Under 200 lbs is manageable without professional help. Over 500 lbs needs a dolly and at least two people.
Top 6 Gun Safes Ranked
#1
Liberty Fatboy Jr. 48
Best overall full-size rifle safe
Capacity
48 guns (realistic: 18-24 with optics)
Fire Rating
1200F / 75 minutes
Lock Type
Electronic keypad (S&G)
Steel
12-gauge steel body, 4-inch military-style locking bars
Weight
740 lbs
Price
$1,800-$2,200
Pros
- + 75-minute fire rating at 1200F is among the highest in the price range
- + Palusol door seal expands in heat to block smoke and flames
- + 12-gauge steel body with 4-inch locking bars on 3 sides
- + UL RSC certified for burglary resistance
- + Interior LED lighting and padded shelving included
Cons
- - 740 lbs requires professional delivery and concrete floor
- - Capacity rating assumes bare rifles with no optics or accessories
- - Interior layout is traditional (no modular system)
#2
SecureIt Agile 52 Pro
Best modular rifle storage for AR-15s
Capacity
6 rifles (modular CradleGrid layout)
Fire Rating
None (security-focused design)
Lock Type
Electronic keypad
Steel
14-gauge welded steel, tamper-resistant hinges
Weight
175 lbs
Price
$800-$1,100
Pros
- + CradleGrid system holds rifles with optics, lasers, and lights mounted
- + Modular interior adapts to any gun shape including SBRs and bullpups
- + Knockdown design ships flat, assembles without tools in 10 minutes
- + Lighter weight makes it suitable for upstairs rooms and apartments
- + Military heritage (SecureIt makes arms room storage for US military)
Cons
- - No fire rating (designed for security, not fire protection)
- - 14-gauge steel is thinner than traditional safes
- - Smaller capacity than similarly-priced full-size safes
#3
Vaultek RS500i
Best biometric quick-access safe
Capacity
4-5 handguns or 1 SBR/pistol
Fire Rating
None
Lock Type
Biometric + keypad + Bluetooth app + key backup
Steel
14-gauge steel, anti-pry reinforced door
Weight
52 lbs
Price
$350-$450
Pros
- + Biometric scanner stores 20 fingerprints, reads in under 1 second
- + Bluetooth app with tamper alerts and battery monitoring
- + Interior LED lighting, removable accessory shelf
- + Anti-pry reinforced door with dual anti-impact latches
- + Rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts 4+ months per charge
Cons
- - Not a rifle safe (fits pistols and compact PDWs only)
- - Biometric can fail with wet or dirty fingers (keypad backup solves this)
- - No fire rating
#4
Liberty Centurion 24
Best budget full-size rifle safe
Capacity
24 guns (realistic: 10-14 with optics)
Fire Rating
1200F / 40 minutes
Lock Type
Electronic keypad (SecuRam)
Steel
12-gauge steel body, 4-inch locking bars
Weight
425 lbs
Price
$900-$1,200
Pros
- + 12-gauge steel at under $1,200 is excellent value
- + 40-minute fire rating with Palusol door seal
- + UL RSC certified
- + 4-inch locking bars on 3 sides of the door
- + Factory direct pricing keeps costs below competitors
Cons
- - Shorter fire rating than Fatboy (40 vs 75 minutes)
- - Interior is basic (no lighting or modular features)
- - Smaller capacity gets tight with scoped rifles
#5
Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe
Best mechanical quick-access handgun safe
Capacity
1-2 handguns
Fire Rating
None
Lock Type
Simplex mechanical pushbutton (no batteries)
Steel
10-gauge steel body (thickest in class)
Weight
24 lbs
Price
$250-$300
Pros
- + 10-gauge steel body is pry-proof for its size
- + Simplex mechanical lock never needs batteries and lasts a lifetime
- + Opens in under 2 seconds with muscle memory
- + Made in USA with welded construction (not folded sheet metal)
- + Gas strut lid opens fully when unlocked
Cons
- - Holds only 1-2 handguns (no rifle capability)
- - No biometric or app features
- - No fire rating (but 10-gauge steel provides some heat resistance)
#6
SecureIt Answer 12
Best compact rifle safe for apartments
Capacity
12 rifles (realistic: 6-8 with optics)
Fire Rating
None
Lock Type
Electronic keypad
Steel
14-gauge welded steel
Weight
120 lbs
Price
$550-$700
Pros
- + CradleGrid modular system adapts to any rifle configuration
- + 120 lbs is manageable for apartments and upstairs rooms
- + Knockdown design ships flat, fits through any doorway
- + Stackable (two units can be stacked for 24-gun capacity)
- + Most affordable way to get SecureIt modular storage
Cons
- - 14-gauge steel is thinner than traditional safes
- - No fire rating
- - Requires bolting to floor for security (light enough to carry otherwise)
Gun Safe Comparison Table
| Safe | Type | Steel | Fire | Lock | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Fatboy Jr. 48 | overall full-size rifle safe | 12-gauge steel body | 1200F / 75 minutes | Electronic keypad | 740 lbs | $1,800-$2,200 |
| SecureIt Agile 52 Pro | modular rifle storage for AR-15s | 14-gauge welded steel | None (security-focused design) | Electronic keypad | 175 lbs | $800-$1,100 |
| Vaultek RS500i | biometric quick-access safe | 14-gauge steel | None | Biometric + keypad + Bluetooth app + key backup | 52 lbs | $350-$450 |
| Liberty Centurion 24 | budget full-size rifle safe | 12-gauge steel body | 1200F / 40 minutes | Electronic keypad | 425 lbs | $900-$1,200 |
| Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe | mechanical quick-access handgun safe | 10-gauge steel body (thickest in class) | None | Simplex mechanical pushbutton | 24 lbs | $250-$300 |
| SecureIt Answer 12 | compact rifle safe for apartments | 14-gauge welded steel | None | Electronic keypad | 120 lbs | $550-$700 |
Types of Gun Safes: Which Do You Need?
Full-Size Rifle Safe
Traditional floor-standing safes weighing 400+ lbs. Best for homeowners with a dedicated gun room or garage. Offers the strongest security with 12-gauge steel, fire protection, and UL RSC certification. Holds rifles, handguns, optics, and ammunition in one unit. Requires professional delivery for heavy models.
Best picks: Liberty Fatboy Jr. 48, Liberty Centurion 24
Modular Rifle Safe
Knockdown design ships flat and assembles on-site. Lighter weight (120-200 lbs) makes these suitable for apartments, upstairs rooms, and renters. Interior modular systems like CradleGrid hold rifles with accessories mounted. Trade fire protection for convenience and adaptability.
Best picks: SecureIt Agile 52 Pro, SecureIt Answer 12
Quick-Access Handgun Safe
Compact safes designed for nightstand or closet mounting. Biometric locks allow sub-second access in emergencies. Holds 1-5 handguns. Not for long guns, but essential as a companion to a rifle safe for keeping your carry gun accessible while the collection stays locked.
Best picks: Vaultek RS500i, Fort Knox PB1
Gun Cabinet (Budget)
Thin-gauge steel cabinets (16-18 gauge) with basic key or combination locks. Provides visual concealment and keeps children and unauthorized users out but offers minimal protection against determined theft or pry attacks. Acceptable as a starting point if budget is a hard constraint.
Common brands: Stack-On, Sports Afield. Budget: $150-$400.
Installation and Placement Tips
Always bolt your safe down
An unbolted safe can be tipped, pried from the bottom, or carried out entirely. Bolt to concrete with wedge anchors or to a wood subfloor with lag bolts into joists. This single step eliminates the most common attack method.
Place against an interior wall
Interior walls are away from exterior access and are better shielded during fires. Avoid placing safes in garages (temperature swings cause condensation and rust) or near exterior doors (visible to anyone entering).
Use a dehumidifier inside the safe
Sealed safes trap moisture, which causes rust on firearms. A rechargeable dehumidifier rod (Eva-Dry, GoldenRod) inside the safe keeps humidity below 50% and prevents corrosion. Rechargeable units need no wiring and last 4-6 weeks between cycles.
Check floor load capacity
A loaded gun safe can exceed 1,000 lbs. Concrete slab floors handle this without issue. Standard wood-framed floors support about 40 lbs per square foot. A heavy safe may need to span multiple joists or sit on a plywood spreader board. If in doubt, consult a contractor.
Complete Your Build
Essential accessories to round out your setup
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Frequently Asked Questions
▶Which gun safe brand is best?
Liberty, SecureIt, and Vaultek lead in different categories. Liberty dominates full-size safes with UL RSC certification and fire ratings. SecureIt offers the best modular rifle storage with CradleGrid technology that adapts to any gun shape. Vaultek makes the best compact and biometric safes for quick-access nightstand use. For budget options, Sports Afield and Stack-On provide solid basic protection. The best brand depends on what you are storing and how quickly you need access.
▶What safes are better than Liberty?
For pure security, Graffunder and Fort Knox exceed Liberty with thicker steel (10-gauge vs 12-gauge) and more robust locking mechanisms. Hollon offers comparable protection to Liberty at lower prices. SecureIt surpasses Liberty for rifle-specific storage with its modular CradleGrid system. For quick-access handgun safes, Vaultek and Fort Knox beat Liberty with faster biometric access and better electronics. Liberty remains the best all-around value for traditional full-size safes.
▶How much should a good gun safe cost?
Expect to spend $150-$300 for a quality quick-access handgun safe (Vaultek VT20i, Fort Knox PB1). A mid-size rifle safe holding 12-24 guns runs $800-$1,500 (Liberty Centurion, SecureIt Answer). A premium full-size safe with fire protection and proven security costs $1,500-$3,000 (Liberty Fatboy, SecureIt Agile 52). Budget safes under $500 provide deterrent-level security but use thinner steel and weaker locks. Do not skimp on fire ratings if you live in a fire-prone area.
▶What size gun safe do I need for AR-15s?
An AR-15 with a 16-inch barrel and stock extended measures roughly 33-36 inches long. Most full-size safes (55+ inches interior height) accommodate this easily. A compact safe needs at least 40 inches of interior height. For multiple AR-15s with optics, a safe advertised as holding 18-24 guns realistically fits 8-12 rifles with optics and accessories mounted. Always check interior dimensions, not the manufacturer's gun count, which assumes bare rifles packed tightly.
▶Should I bolt down my gun safe?
Yes, always bolt down your safe. An unbolted safe under 750 lbs can be tipped and pried open from the bottom or back, which is thinner steel than the door. Bolting eliminates the most common attack vector. Most safes include anchor holes and hardware. Bolt to a concrete floor with concrete anchors or to a wood subfloor with lag bolts into the joists. A bolted 300 lb safe is more secure than an unbolted 800 lb safe.
▶Are gun safes fireproof?
No safe is truly fireproof. They are fire-resistant for a rated duration. A safe rated at 1200F for 30 minutes means the interior stays below 350F (paper ignition point) during a 1200F fire for 30 minutes. After that, protection degrades. Liberty Fatboy is rated at 1200F for 75 minutes. Most budget safes have 30-minute ratings or none at all. If fire protection is critical, look for safes with UL-rated fire protection and Palusol door seals that expand in heat to block smoke.
▶Biometric vs keypad vs mechanical lock: which is best?
Mechanical locks (S&G, LaGard) are the most reliable and never need batteries, but are slowest to open. Keypad electronic locks open in 2-3 seconds and are the best balance of speed and reliability for full-size safes. Biometric (fingerprint) locks are fastest at under 1 second, ideal for quick-access handgun safes, but can fail with wet or dirty fingers. For a full-size rifle safe, choose keypad. For a nightstand safe you need to open at 3 AM, choose biometric with keypad backup.
▶What should I look for in gun safe steel thickness?
Steel thickness is measured in gauge (lower is thicker). 12-gauge (0.105 inch) is the standard for quality full-size safes and meets RSC certification. 10-gauge (0.134 inch) provides premium security. 14-gauge (0.075 inch) is the minimum acceptable for a rifle safe. 16-gauge and thinner (common in cheap safes and locker-style cabinets) can be pried open with basic hand tools. For quick-access handgun safes, 14-gauge is acceptable since the smaller size makes pry attacks harder.
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